TEHRAN –After four decades of effort, Iran is now self-sufficient in preventing addiction, treating addicts, and combating narcotics, an official with anti-narcotics headquarters has said.

Alireza Kazemi made the remarks on Wednesday on the sidelines of an exhibition showcasing the capabilities of the anti-narcotics headquarters.

The exhibition was held with the participation of knowledge-based companies.

Despite unfair sanctions,  knowledge-based companies have achieved significant scientific progress in dealing with the harms of addiction and drugs which has made the country independent from foreign aid.

Domestically-made products which are used to treat drug addiction, can be exported to other countries, even advanced countries, he added.

The affordability and the minimal side effects of these products have made them competitive compared to foreign samples. In some cases, they have proved to be even much more effective.

Effective implementation of anti-narcotics programs

In March, the secretary general of the anti-narcotics headquarters stressed the need for effective implementation of anti-narcotics programs in the region free from political considerations.

“One of the most important challenges of the present era is the narcotic drugs, industrial substances and new psychedelics and the sufferings that I would like to refer to as the quiet war against humanity,” IRIB quoted Eskandar Momeni as saying.

He made the remarks in the 67th UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs, urging all countries to be committed to the sustainable and effective implementation of international drug control conventions.

“In the past five years, adopting a balanced strategy in the fight against drugs, the Islamic Republic of Iran has taken effective measures to promote security and public health in alignment with the implementation of the 2019 Ministerial Declaration, international treaties, and conventions,” Momeni added.

He referred to the compilation and implementation of the comprehensive document on treatment and harm reduction; the expansion of treatment centers both quantitatively and qualitatively,  the maximum use of the private sector and non-governmental organizations (7,200 centers), employing diverse treatment methods including pharmaceuticals and psychological and social interventions, ensuring access to medicinal substances for medical and scientific purposes, boosting harm reduction programs by providing various services to people at risk and managing the spread of AIDS and Hepatitis C  as other measure taken by the country.

Momeni further underscored the need to stop the cruel and unilateral sanctions and foster cooperation between the United Nations, international communities, and Iran in various aspects to strengthen the global fight against drugs.

MT/MG